“I always try to work with different people because it pushes me to try new things,” he says. “At the end of the day I gain much more respect for the producer or MC and end up with a variety of styles for my album.”
Another result is that the record showcases the talents of more than just Millions himself.
“It represents part of a scene and I hope to work with a wider range of other groups in the future.”
Kuester -- who got his start in 1993 with Brew City hip-hop crew 3’z Company -- says that the people he collaborated with on the 14-song disc -- including Sage Schwarm of Codebreaker, Jason Todd, The Rusty P’s, Brandon Bside, Jus Dan, Salva and S. Watson -- were natural choices for him.
“Everyone on the album that I've worked with is my friend and has respect for what I do. Working with people you know is much easier because you’re comfortable with them and can also voice your opinion!”
After a slow, ominous intro that clocks in at just under a minute, Millions is off and running on “Catch the Fever,” with a string of uptempo thumpers that showcase his rhyming skills and the varied musical visions he crafted with his cohorts.
“Tuff Wit My Stuff” features a guest appearance by Milwaukee’s Rusty P’s and the title track, produced by Schwarm, is an infectious mix of hip-hop beats and the kind of ‘80s synth bass sound that fuels much of Codebreaker’s music.
Million says the tune is the high point of the record for him.
“My favorite track on the album I would say is "Catch The Fever.” This song was the last one we recorded and gave it the ‘special touch.’ My favorite tracks are always the one that get done real quick!”
Kuester released “Words Get Around,” his first record as Kid Millions, in 2001 and is also a member of the group Minus After. He also co-owns LotusLand Records, a Riverwest collector’s and DJ record shop on Center Street.
Kid Millions launches “Catch the Fever,” with a CD release party on Friday, Aug. 18 at Stonefly Brewery in Riverwest. Also on the bill are DJ Abilities, Class: Sick and his LotusLand partner, Andy “The Getdown” Noble.
Born in Brooklyn, N.Y., where he lived until he was 17, Bobby received his BA-Mass Communications from UWM in 1989 and has lived in Walker's Point, Bay View, Enderis Park, South Milwaukee and on the East Side.
He has published three non-fiction books in Italy – including one about an event in Milwaukee history, which was published in the U.S. in autumn 2010. Four more books, all about Milwaukee, have been published by The History Press.
With his most recent band, The Yell Leaders, Bobby released four LPs and had a songs featured in episodes of TV's "Party of Five" and "Dawson's Creek," and films in Japan, South America and the U.S. The Yell Leaders were named the best unsigned band in their region by VH-1 as part of its Rock Across America 1998 Tour. Most recently, the band contributed tracks to a UK vinyl/CD tribute to the Redskins and collaborated on a track with Italian novelist Enrico Remmert.
He's produced three installments of the "OMCD" series of local music compilations for OnMilwaukee.com and in 2007 produced a CD of Italian music and poetry.
In 2005, he was awarded the City of Asti's (Italy) Journalism Prize for his work focusing on that area. He has also won awards from the Milwaukee Press Club.
He has be heard on 88Nine Radio Milwaukee talking about his "Urban Spelunking" series of stories, in that station's most popular podcast.
